. >>> and now to the efforts to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff. president obama returns to washington later today and the senate is due in session, but just about everyone agrees with just five days left, the possibility for a grand bargain to avoid across-the-board tax increases and spending cuts is all but lost, and even prospects for watered down deals seems slim. tara mergener is in washington with more. tara, good morning. >> good morning, duarte. yes. hopes for legislation to avoid the fiscal cliff now turns to the senate, but white house and republicans remain far apart. senators and staffers will be filling these empty hallways today trying to work out a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff. higher taxes will give the average american about $1,500 less to spend next year, and economists believe the $110 billion spending cuts will result in more layoffs. senator harry reid has a plan to keep taxes low for everyone making less than $250,000 a year as well as short-term spending cuts until a bigger deal can be reached. >> it is going to be a patch